Resilient tooth-contact device



Feb.18, 1930. G.R.DE NISE 1,141 351 RESILIENT TOOTH CONTACT DEVICE Filed March 19, 1928 Patented Feb. 18, 1930 RESILIENT TOOTH-CONTACT DEVICE Application filed. March 19, 1928. Serial No. 262,780.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in dentistry, and it has for its objects, among others, to furnish a softer contact than has heretofore been proposed between false teeth and the gums of the wearer.

I provide a hard biting, chewing and grinding surface, mounted on a softer or yielding or resilient substance which will form the contact with the gums.

The above object, as well as others that may be the result of my invention may be attained in a variety of ways. This may be done, either by running a wire, gold or silver, or other suitable metal, through the teeth, and the ensemble set in a composition softer than the hard rubber or metal now used in the makeup of the plate. This softer substance may be a resilient rubber, or other substance; or it may be accomplished by attaching the teeth to a metal band to be set in such softer material or substance. Again, it is accomplished by setting the teeth in a hard substance under which a softer material shall form the basis of the plate.

To make the wearing of such a plate practicable in a large percentage of cases it would be held in place by a spring or any mechanical equivalent device. A suitabl spring device would be bowed wire having a free action, from tip to tip, the said free action being provided for the purpose of preventing breakage due to crystallization at any point of contact, the springs being so disposed that the strain is distributed throughout the full length thereof.

Various means may be provided for assembling the hard substance and the softer material to form the basis of the plate.

Again, various means may be provided for securing the springs to the plates, and the method of attachment may be varied. The ends of the springs may simply be bent at right angles and inserted into the plate, or the ends may be attached by means of a flat housing which shall be secured to the teeth or to the plate in any suitable manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims,

The invention, in its preferred form, is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of upper and lower sets of false teeth embodying the novel features of my present invention.

Figure 2 is a front View, or a view looking at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section from front to rear of one of the plates and the teeth thereon.

Figure 4: is a vertical cross section as on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section as on the line 55 of Figure 2 on a somewhat enlarged scale. t

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one form of spring that may be employed.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a modification of the invention showing an extra fullness of the outside gum, which, in many cases, will aid in holding the soft plates in position without the use of a spring. b

v Figure 9 is a bottom View of Figure 8, show ing a partial roof of thin flexible rubber, or other material, which, in many cases, will also aid in holding the soft plates in position without the use of the springs.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which they appear.

Referring to the drawings in detail by reference numerals, 1 0 designates an upper'and 11 a lower set of false teeth or plates constructed in accordance with the principles of my present invention. 7

The plates are made up, preferably, of three primary parts, namely, the teeth 12, which are formed of porcelain or other material suited to the purpose, and are formed and arranged to simulate the upper and lower rows of teeth in the human mouth. The front teeth of these sets may be embedded in a hard substance as indicated by the numeral 13, as

hard rubber'by means of which they are' 7 united with a resilient foundation 14 of'soft rubber or other suitable yielding materi'alQ The back or jaw teeth may be embedded directly in the soft rubber foundation as shown at 15 whereby individual action of the jaw teeth is insured similar to that of the natural teeth. The front teeth may also be embedded directly in the resilientfoundation as shown snugly in the hollows thereof stave-like projections -18, the projections being centrally located in depressions in'the gums, the walls .19ofwhich embrace the outer surfaces of the bases 16, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. 'By

' fthis means the teeth are held to the gums,

, and are, further secured thereto by means of.

Y wires extending around and embedded in .the rubber of the gums, and. projecting through apertures in the base portions 16 of the teeth. 7

I The soft portions of the gums are provided with the usual channels 21 to receive the gums of "the wearer, and the upper set with "the usual dome 22 to fitthe roof of themouth.

As an aidin keeping the plates in position, I provide resilient bowed members 23 which maybe attached at their ends to the respective plates in any suitable manner. The bowed members are preferablyformed of re- 7 silient wire which may be gold-plated to prevent tarnishing or rusting, and to prevent scale. The ends of the wires attached to the as they fall within the reasonable'spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. A set of false'teeth comprising plates having resilient gum-encasing portions, teeth, relatively hard portions securing certain of the teeth to the resilient portions, other of the teeth having bases embedded in the resilient portions, and wires embedded in the resilient portions and passed through apertures in the'teeth.

2. A set of false teeth comprising plates.

having resilient gum-encasing portions, teeth, relatively hard portions securing certain of the teeth to the resilient portions, other e of the teeth having bases embedded in the resilientportions, wires embedded in the plates and passingthrough the teeth, 'andresilient' bowed membersconnecting the plates. I 3. A set of false teeth compr sing plates having resilient gum-encasing portions,

teeth, relatively hard portions securing certain of the teeth to the resilient portions,

other of the teeth having bases'embedded in.

the resilient portions, and means embedded in the resilient portions. V

4. A set of falseteethcomprising plates with resilient gum -encasing portions, relatively hard portionsfor securing certain of the teeth to the resilient portions, and resilient bowed members, and housings for the ends of said bowed members for attachment to said plates, said housings being bent about the 1 ends of said members and grasping the latter. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

(GEORGE R. DENISE.

plates may be cased in housings of sheet metal such as 24 which may be securely attached thereto in any-suitable manner and may be provided with staples 25 for attaching them to the plates, the housings being preferably 'fiatwto adaptthem to rest with a considerable 7 surface contacting with the plates. o

, :The members 23 may be encased in softrubbertubes 26 as indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings and this form is found useful in cases ot'fsensitive gums. It will be understood that the members 23 are readilyiremow V I able from the plates and may be replaced by lighteror heavier wires as may be found advisable. i It is believed that the operation and advan tages of'i'ny invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken. in connection with the drawings.-

In view of my invention and "disclosure variationsand modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtainpart or all of the benefits of my invention without copying, the structure shown, and Itherefore claim all such in so far 

